Sydney
Track: Michael P. Cullen – Do You Believe
I was hugely impressed by Michael P Cullen‘s album ‘True Believer back in 2014, and it is great to see him back with a new track, ‘Do You Believe’. Cullen, based in Sydney, has one of those enigmatic, baritone voices that recalls Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Tindersticks and The National, and, like those singers and …
Album Review: Flowertruck – Mostly Sunny
In terms of a forecast, the title to the debut album by Sydney’s Flowertruck, ‘Mostly Sunny’ is overly pessimistic. There are no clouds on this horizon. And yet in terms of temperament – and to torturously extend the metaphor – it perfectly captures the tone of this stunning album. Bright, bouncy tunes with a hint …
Track: Flowertruck – Come Across
With a much anticipated album ‘Mostly Sunny’ due out on 16 March, Sydney’s Flowertruck have released a second single ‘Come Across’. As we noted in our review of Flowertruck’s first single ‘Good Enough For Now’, Flowertruck display a certain twee ingredient, a sense of innocence and a hint of gaucheness yet a divine mastery of …
Track: Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders – White Flag plus album and tour news
For the uninitiated, Jack Ladder (real name Tim Rogers) could be described as Sydney’s answer to Melbourne cool, epitomised by Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard. Along with his band the Dreamlanders (consisting of various moonlighting indie rock luminaries) he has performed internationally, making appearances in London, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles and shared …
Track : DMAs – In the Air plus new album announced
Sydney’s DMAs have proven through their resilience and brilliant songwriting that they are not mere pale imitations of Oasis despite the undeniable similarities. Their 2016 debut album, ‘Hills End’ was critically acclaimed and they recently supported The Kooks’ arena tour across the UK. DMAs have just released a fantastic single and video off their forthcoming …
EP: The Clouds – Zaffre
Along with bands like The Underground Lovers, The Falling Joys and Ratcat, The Clouds held the banner for classic indie pop in Australia in the late eighties, early nineties.The sweet duel vocal harmonies of Jody Phillis and Patricia Young were underpinned by a muscular rhythm section and jangling guitars. Their album, Penny Century, is often …
Not Forgotten: The Scientists – A Place Called Bad
As one of the most geographically isolated cities in the world, punk came late to Perth, but when it finally did, it caught the attention of Kim Salmon, the man who the mainstay of The Scientists. Formed in 1978, The Scientists would evolve into their own version of Post-Punk, relocating to the UK in the …
See: Julia Jacklin releases video to track Leadlight
Talking about the self-directed video for Leadlight, Sydney singer songwriter Julia Jacklin says “I filmed this in my old High school hall in the Blue Mountains. A lot of the shots focus on the stage where I performed in the chorus for ‘Grease’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and the unfortunate time I chose to …
See: PLGRMS release new video for ‘Fools And Their Gold’
Speaking of their new single, Jonathan Bowden, one half of Sydney duo PLGRMS, says “Fools And Their Gold speaks of someone denying the inevitable end of a relationship. They can’t – or won’t – let go, despite knowing that it’s not good for them.” The track has that sense of melancholy, despite its sweetness, as …
Track: Why We Run – A Moment to Return
One of my favourite local Sydney bands, Why We Run, is back with no sign of a waning of their incredible talent. In fact, quite the opposite. I reviewed the debut single, ‘Comfortable Lie’, last year and follow-up release, ‘Ignites’ from with great enthusiasm, and they just keep getting better. Their atmospheric, enigmatic songs fuse …